LASTER & GOLDMAN - Environmental Law Practice

When Richard Laster left Richmond, Virginia in 1970 to emigrate to Israel, he came equipped with a Harvard Law degree and five months of hard work as a Nader's Raider under the tutelage of Mark Green. He had no idea then how his background in law and investigation of regulatory agencies would enhance his career in Israel. He needed those skills, however because he came to make a difference.

He began by doing an LL.D. in environmental law at Hebrew University, paired with establishing environmental law in Israel as the first legal advisor to the newly formed Environmental Protection Service. That combination of academia and practice has been the background of his professional life ever since. When he left the Environmental Protection Service to open his law practice, he had compiled a code of environmental laws and legal decisions, and opened the door for the next generation of environmental lawyers in Israel.

Richard set up his first partnership with Donald Zisquit, whom he had met at Harvard and they practiced together for over ten years. Subsequently, Richard teamed up with Dennis Gouldman, one of the most respected attorneys in Israel. Dennis did his legal studies and training in England and he worked for Israel’s Attorney General before joining the firm. Dennis added his expertise in litigation and his knowledge in planning and building law. Dennis retired in 2007, but we have asked that he remain of counsel to the firm.

Laster Gouldman provides personal, practical and expert advice and representation to a range of clients in all areas of Israeli environmental law.  Our reputation is one of thoughtful insight and advocacy, combined with big picture problem resolution. We are also a full-service civil practice law firm, providing expert personal assistance in contracts, real estate, family law, prenuptial agreements, divorce agreements, guardianship, estates and wills.

Most legal offices only respond to environmental problems; we initiate environmental improvements. Partnering with experts from other fields, we have teamed up with physicians to improve occupational health, taking on the asbestos industry, battery and silicon implant manufacturers and the Dimona Research Facility. The firm has represented thousands of clients in these fields, making a paradigm change in all of them. We pride ourselves in cross-boundary cooperation, working with regional partners.